Media and entertainment in Wales

Hugh James

Leveraging the expertise of lawyers from across the firm’s corporate and commercial, litigation and employment practice areas, in particular, Hugh James is ‘capable of delivering first-class advice across all aspects of the media and entertainment sector’. Drawing upon his rich experience in private practice, as well as in his former role as head of legal at S4C International, team head Aled Walters  has deep and broad knowledge across a myriad issues facing clients in the sector, and is recognised by one client as: ‘perhaps the leading media lawyer working in Wales’. The arrival of solicitor Ilan Jones from S4C further enhances the team’s offering in the space in light of his commercial contract experience (including on co-production agreements), as well as his knowledge of commercialisation of content and broadcast compliance issues. In summer 2023 the firm acquired Cardiff-based boutique Loosemores, which is known for providing ‘constructive guidance and advice’ to clients across the spectrum of core media and entertainment contractual matters. Mark Loosemore provides ‘commercial and thorough’ advice to both large and small sporting governing bodies across a range of matters including on sponsorship and licensing agreements. Consultant solicitor Sara Griffiths effectively draws upon her experiences in private practice, as well as in-house at S4C, to good effect to advise across a range of contractual matters including content commissioning and production for film and television.

Practice head(s):

Aled Walters


Other key lawyers:

Emily Powell; Louise Price; Richard Locke; Ilan Jones; Mark Loosemore; Sara Griffiths; Rhodri Evans


Testimonials

‘Hugh James is able to offer a complete legal service when it comes to media and entertainment. With a suite of expertise available within the in-house team they are capable of delivering first class advice across all aspects of the sector.’

‘Aled Walters is perhaps the leading media lawyer working in Wales and his expertise is acknowledged over his many years working in the sector.’

‘Highly professional with an approachable and friendly way of dealing with clients. Clear expertise and knowledge in the field they are dealing with, very accessible and easy to make contact.’

‘The individuals I have worked with have always been professional, friendly and always more than happy to help. They give constructive guidance and advice and present and explain information in a clear way.’

‘Efficient response times, clear communication.’

The exceptional Mark Loosemore is highly commercial and thorough in his approach.’

‘I enjoyed working with Sara Griffiths. Always felt I had her genuinely enthusiastic support.’

‘Sara Griffiths is a high skilled member of the team with regards to media and production and always has great recommendations to allow us to deal with any legal advice we need.’

Key clients

Wildflame Productions Limited


Afanti Media Group Limited


Welsh Government


4 Wood Group Limited


Location Solutions Limited


Cwmni Da Cyf


Dragon Studios Limited


ITV plc


Work highlights


  • Advised Wildflame Productions Limited on the contracts, documents and rights position for its new multimillion-pound production for Viacom/Smithsonian called “True Vikings”.
  • Review of privacy policy for Afanti Media Group’s “Songs of Praise” production for the BBC.
  • Advised 4Wood Group Limited on its major new contract with Disney for the production of sets for its major new production, Trapper Keeper.

Acuity Law

Led from Cardiff by consultant Angharad Evans and also able to draw upon the expertise of a number of practitioners based out of the firm’s London office, Acuity Law has a strong reputation advising clients in the creative industries across a range of contractual matters. Leveraging her previous role as head of legal and business affairs at S4C, Evans is particularly effective at advising film and tv clients across a variety of content, commercial and business management issues, including on co-production, financing and commissioning agreements.


Practice head(s):

Angharad Evans


Key clients

Joio Cyf


Riot Time Pictures Limited


Triongl Cyf


Orchard Media and Events Limited


Merton Books Limited


Carlam Ltd


Cread Cyf


Work highlights


  • Provided all legal and business affairs support for the development and production of a film depicting the story of the establishment of S4C, the Welsh Language Channel.
  • Sale of Merton Books, owning the book rights to a high-profile BBC1 returning series.
  • Advised on Co-production of The Light in the Hall/ Y Golau financed by Channel 4 and S4C.

Capital Law Limited

Despite lacking a standalone media and entertainment practice group, a number of practitioners from across Capital Law Limited‘s full-service offering handle work in the sector, including those within the corporate and commercial, commercial disputes and employment practices. Maria Coggins is the primary contact and leverages her IP and general commercial contracts expertise to good effect for clients in the creative industries sector, where she assists them with the ownership, licensing and use of the IPR in the works they create/own.


Practice head(s):

Maria Coggins


Other key lawyers:

James Williams; David Garner


Key clients

Handmade Films Group


Federation of Bridgend Primary Schools and Bridgend Association of Secondary Headteachers


Inbenta Technologies Ltd


Pixsy Inc.


Influence Digital


University of South Wales


Design Group


Rescape Innovations Limited


Gritty Realism Production


British Medical Association


Work highlights


  • Supporting Handmade Films Group with policing copyright infringement online and advising on, negotiating, and drafting new and existing licensing arrangements and distribution agreements.
  • Advised Cardiff City FC on its kit supply and sponsorship agreement with its new kit supplier, New Balance.
  • Advised the management team of 4wood TV and Film on the £9m management buyout backed by PE fund Connection Capital.